ABC Wednesday.... C is for CALF!

Met these last year, in Yorkshire......

The calf on the right is female and has the typical doe eyes of children's picture-books. I was stunned to see the difference in appearance between her and the young male. Completely different face!

Keep close, mum, who's this? What's that thing she keeps pointing at me?

'S'ok, son, it's only a camera thingy. Go on: give her a close-up.

He was quite skittish, and after this ran behind her and hid, peering out from under her legs.

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In this country, male calves are shot shortly after birth. There is no market (we're told) for the meat of male cattle and veal is considered cruel (looking at the crates typically used, this is true). So it doesn't make economic sense for the farmer to keep them.

There is a farm in the Channel Islands, however, that is trying to change this. It rears its male calves, then sells them for meat. In a blind taste-test amongst farmers and wholesalers, all listed this beef as the best, despite rejecting the idea of it outright beforehand. Maybe young male calves will have time to enjoy a bit of life in future....

THIS one is safe. This is a living museum farm, demonstrating traditional farming methods. It was set up to show that farming can be free range, organic, and wildlife & environment friendly.

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For links to other bloggers taking part in ABC Wednesday, & instructions on how to join in, visit Mrs Nesbitt's Place!

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Never trust a hairdresser who has short hair

- It's true.

I don't know what it is.

Surely it isn't jealousy?

I mean, how can it be in their INTEREST to lop your hair all off anyway?

But here it is, irrefutable evidence.........

Photo one- taken the beginning of August, up in Yorkshire:

Photo two: taken on a "Falconry Experience Day", 17th August, after my ONE INCH TRIM:

See what I mean?

No?

OK here's another "before" shot, taken same day:

Know what she said?

"Oh well, my inch is like that," while shaping about 3 1/2 inches with her finger and thumb.

It's enough to make you chew your own foot off.

Nice owl, though, isn't he? He's called Sid.

Summing up a place

A few weeks ago I was in Yorkshire.

The advantage of a digital camera is that you can click away without worrying about quantity. So I came home with over 600 photo's. Of course, you tell yourself that you'll delete lots and only keep the best ones. But going through that many is a job easily put off!

I certainly wouldn't want to try to put even a tenth of them on this blog, so I looked for one that summed up the place. Would that be possible? Just one photo to sum up all that?

Well, I think the one above is a good candidate. In case the notice isn't clear, here it is in close-up:

I took this near Bolton Abbey, which is set in the middle of lots of hills and paths that obviously appealed to hikers and explorers. It was on the wall of a Post Office. Inside was also a gift shop, grocery store and tea bar.

I think this notice sums up the spirit of the place. Lots of people outdoors in all weather, faithful friends, hospitality and welcome.

OK that might be a typical visitor's sweetened view of a place. But the photo isn't a typically sweetened postcard view, is it?

Is it just me, or does this look a bit spooky?

Whilst up in Yorkshire last week, walking through some beautiful gardens, I spotted this tree. I was immediately drawn to its base. To me, it looks like a hand. I can imagine the tree running along on its fingers at night, and settling in a different spot each day, keeping an eye on the visitors.

Slightly spooky!